We began in 1950 as a mission supported by San Mateo’s historic Episcopal Church of St. Matthew. Early meetings gathered in homes and at the County Fair Grounds before a site was found close to the southern San Mateo City border. This hillside location bordering on new and growing development was the guiding choice of our naming as Transfiguration.
Within two years of formation, ground was broken for the first of two buildings. Construction was completed in two years for what is now our newly renovated Parish Hall.
Parish status was granted in 1956. Planning for our current church building began, and on Palm Sunday 1961 worship moved to our current sanctuary.
Within two years of formation, ground was broken for the first of two buildings. Construction was completed in two years for what is now our newly renovated Parish Hall.
Parish status was granted in 1956. Planning for our current church building began, and on Palm Sunday 1961 worship moved to our current sanctuary.
The next ten years saw:
In 1992, Transfiguration received city permission to inter the ashes of loved ones in its Memorial Garden. We have since affiliated with the worldwide Quiet Garden movement which now numbers over 400 members. The garden provides a space for outdoor worship, contemplation, and prayer. Located just above our hospitality entrance, it is open to all.
Recognizing a need, Transfiguration created a unique Family “ Joyful Noise” Service in the early 2000s which incorporates all aspects of Eucharistic liturgy in an informal format. This service, intentioned for families with the youngest (toddler up to middle school) members has infused our parish with new energy and growth. This focus has evolved to providing next level of engagement with our “COW” (Community of Wonder) group that serves the Middle School community. Our High School youth meet regularly as the “Faith Lab.” All questions are freely expected, received, and explored with our clergy and staff.
The people of Transfiguration have a passion for serving those in need. The congregation has responded generously with goods and personal service in a variety of community programs.
- The new Sanctuary consecrated; Bishop Pike’s Crozier marks still are identifiable on the doors where he knocked, demanding entrance
- A memorial Garden planned, created, and blessed.
- Nursery School outreach began, serving the San Mateo community; (now in development as an expanded Day-care and Early Childhood Learning program – pandemic pending).
In 1992, Transfiguration received city permission to inter the ashes of loved ones in its Memorial Garden. We have since affiliated with the worldwide Quiet Garden movement which now numbers over 400 members. The garden provides a space for outdoor worship, contemplation, and prayer. Located just above our hospitality entrance, it is open to all.
Recognizing a need, Transfiguration created a unique Family “ Joyful Noise” Service in the early 2000s which incorporates all aspects of Eucharistic liturgy in an informal format. This service, intentioned for families with the youngest (toddler up to middle school) members has infused our parish with new energy and growth. This focus has evolved to providing next level of engagement with our “COW” (Community of Wonder) group that serves the Middle School community. Our High School youth meet regularly as the “Faith Lab.” All questions are freely expected, received, and explored with our clergy and staff.
The people of Transfiguration have a passion for serving those in need. The congregation has responded generously with goods and personal service in a variety of community programs.
- Thousands of gallons of soup were cooked in our kitchen and distributed to feeding centers in San Francisco.
- In recent years, led by the youth, on Sandwich Sunday we prepare hundreds of sandwiches for those in need
- In 2000, our parish took leadership in development of the San Mateo County Interfaith Hospitality Network (now called Home & Hope) at Transfiguration and churches in surrounding communities. Prior to pandemic, we housed and fed in our Parish Hall, homeless families several times a year. When we can continue, we will!
- We have participated in a series of meal packing events, helping to prepare up to 50,000 meals for use within in community and in Haiti
- Our annual giving tree gives us the opportunity to donate to causes near to member’s hearts
- We currently support the Hillsdale Peace Pantry to provide food and material help to those who live with us in our community.
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The people of Transfiguration have a passion for serving those in need. The congregation has responded generously with goods and personal service in a variety of community programs.
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Over its nearly 60 years of existence, Transfiguration has continued to evolve as needs change while maintaining a core tradition of hospitality and inclusivity.
In 2010, Transfiguration’s roof failed in the Sanctuary and led to a ruinous flood. Repairs led to a beautiful, open and flexible worship space. Over the last 10 years, we took advantage of this flexibility to reconfigure the worship space as needed, without worrying about pews bolted to the floor. We move the altar, seats, and aisles as the worship (or concert) needs change.
In 2022, we finished the construction from our recent $1.5 million Capital Campaign. This brings a complete renovation to our parish hall, preschool, and office space, and to the (still in process) landscaping of our outdoor space between the Sanctuary and the parish hall. Notable improvements include:
- ADA updates, including the addition of a second bathroom with a shower in the parish hall, flat parking spaces, a graded path to connect the Sanctuary and parish hall, and a lift to move between the parish hall floors
- a reconfigured common area with dedicated meeting rooms and updated kitchen
- a completely rebuilt space downstairs in the parish hall for use as a preschool
- a redesigned open office plan for the staff, with two dedicated offices